10 Things You Should Have on Your Business Website

Starting a new business is exciting and time-consuming. With so many balls in the air, it’s easy to overlook your website. Your website will be one of your most effective marketing tools and is essential to a successful marketing strategy.

If you are unable to hire a designer, the responsibility of your website will fall on you. Over the next few weeks, we will explore what makes a successful business website. I’ll cover the pages you will need and what to put on them, how to get on Google, SEO tips and how to best work with your designer if you choose to go that route.

I’d like to begin this blog series by giving you:

The 10 things your business website should have:

1. Strong call to action

Book a service, sign up for a newsletter or make an appointment? Think about what you want someone visiting your website to do. Make it clear and make it be the first thing they see.

2. Mobile responsive

Let’s face it your website will most likely be viewed from someone’s cell phone or tablet. When designing your site make sure it looks good while on a cell phone. Online tools like https://responsivedesignchecker.com can be a great help.

3. A website address that is easy to remember and spell:

Keep it simple and if your name or the name of the company has a peculiar spelling, consider also purchasing the domain name using the more common spelling and redirecting that domain name to your website too.

4. Social media links and buttons:

Your website and social media will work hand in hand when marketing your business. Make sure your social media accounts link to your website also.

5. A Contact page

Your customer/clients need to know how to get a hold of you. Later in this blog series, I’ll teach you the most important elements for your contact page.

6. The story of you and your company:

When I wrote my blog series on branding (you can check it out here.) I emphasized the importance of getting your customers/clients to know who you are and to like and trust you. Sharing your story and a bit about yourself will help you to be more relatable. Don’t be someone hidden behind a website especially if you run a service business.

7. Photos or video:

We are attracted to visuals. Break up written content with high-quality photos (make sure all photos you put on your website are reduced to 72 dpi (dots per inch) For more information on file formats for websites visit my blog post on file formats here.

8. Customer/Client testimonials:

Remember when I wrote about trust. Having the testimonies of your past customers on your site is just one more way that you can gain the trust you need to close the sale.

9. Effective web copy:

Writing for a website is very different than writing for print marketing. Short paragraphs, headlines, lists and bullet points are your friends. Writing to convert is a talent that many business owners do not have. Don’t hesitate to enlist the services of a copywriter to help you.

10. A Blog:

This is the most important part of your website as it accomplishes a variety of things

First, it gives you the opportunity to frequently update your website which makes Goggle happy.

Second, writing content that offers value to your reader will help to set you as a thought leader in your industry and help you to gain their trust.

And third, frequent blog posting gives you quality content to share on your social media sites. It’s a win-win.

Have you designed your own website? What part was most difficult for you? Share your thoughts on my Facebook page in the post for this article.

In next week’s blog post I will begin looking at each individual page and share what is needed on them and my tips for success.

Until next time,

Karri

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